'Are you sure you want to do this? ' Anya said in hushed tones. 'You don 't have to. '

Damian gulped, and squeezed her hand tighter, before his eyes hardened in resolve.

'It 's better this way, right? ' he said, and then he pushed the door to the apartment complex open -

- and came face-to-face with Anya 's neighbour, Mrs Merkel. She jumped back from the door at the same time as they did, clearly surprised that it had swung inwards without her permission.

For a split second, her eyebrows had drawn together in a frown, and she raised her fist, about to berate them both, when suddenly she recognised the young man in front of her and her demeanour changed completely.

'Oh! ' she gasped, clearly dazzled. 'It 's you! '

'Er- ' said Damian uncomfortably, but he didn 't have time to say anything else before the woman 's face split into a huge grin, like she and Damian shared a secret.

'You know, I think you 'll be able to put on your play after all! '